PHOENIX — It’s typical when the reigning NFL commissioner delivers his state of the league address ahead of the Super Bowl for most of the league’s 32 owners to be in attendance.

So it seemed conspicuous when three prominent owners were no-shows Friday as Roger Goodell took the podium at the Phoenix Convention Center — and in one of their cases didn’t even send a representative.

Conspicuous in a very Los Angeles sort of way, I might add.

Dean Spanos, Mark Davis and Stan Kroenke were nowhere to be found. Considering their San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders and St. Louis Rams are simultaneously fighting for new local stadiums while also privately — and in some cases publicly — casting an adoring eye on the wide-open market that is Los Angeles, their absence hardly seemed coincidental.

Los Angeles has become such a hot topic in terms of the Rams or Chargers or Raiders relocating there — especially with Kroenke recently joining forces with Stockbridge Capitol Group to build an 80,000-seat football stadium on the site of the old Hollywood Park racetrack in Inglewood — it makes sense all three likely wanted to avoid the hassle of dealing with the 200 or so reporters covering Goodell’s speech.

“There have been no determinations of us going to Los Angeles, any particular team going to Los Angeles or going to any particular stadium,” Goodell said. “We have several alternatives that we’re evaluating from a site standpoint. There are teams that are interested, but are trying to work their issues out locally. As a league, we haven’t gotten to that stage yet, and it will all be subject to our relocation policy.

“There are requirements in that policy, as you know, particularly as it relates to cooperation and working to make sure they solve the issues in their local market. I’m confident that all of that will be covered within the relocation policy and with our membership approval.”

That was in front of the cameras.

Behind them, the league confirmed Kroenke’s Los Angeles flirtation is absolutely within the guidelines specifically crafted for the L.A. market. Primarily, consulting with the NFL before taking any action.

A pretty good sign the NFL will eventually be on board with him eventually moving the Rams to Los Angeles, wouldn’t you say?

Yes and no.

Keep in mind there are 32 owners, 24 of whom will eventually have to approve any relocation. And while Grubman might approve the Rams and Los Angeles — he didn’t specifically say — or Goodell might be on board with it or Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones might be in favor of it, nothing matters unless 24 owners give their OK.

“Relocation is subject to a vote,” Grubman reiterated.

That means Kroenke has some work ahead of him.

And while he was nowhere to be found Friday when Goodell gave his annual speech, don’t think for a second his presence wasn’t felt all the way from the Mississippi River to Los Angeles.

In fact, an NFL source told me Kroenke has covertly begun the process of collating support from fellow owners should he actually decide to move the Rams to Los Angeles.

Short of just uprooting his franchise without permission from the NFL — and that seems an unlikely path — Kroenke understands he can’t do it alone.

“That’s one of the key questions to sort out. Is he going to be able to get 24 guys to come along with him?” the source told me.

Kroenke, it seems, is taking steps to help ensure he gets what he needs.

“I think I’ve seen some bridge building on the part of Mr. Kroenke. I’ve seen him trying to build relationships league wide,” the NFL source said. “I don’t know that he can just power through what he thinks he can do without support.

“It still comes down to — I would think 24 — but if not, you certainly need momentum and support within the ownership. You can’t go rogue. That’s not the way the league works,” the source added.

Whether he gets it remains to be seen. Kroenke has yet to publicly state what his true intentions are — whether Los Angeles is truly his end game or if he’s using it as leverage to get a new stadium built in St. Louis.

But his actions seem to indicate Los Angeles is where he wants to be. Now begins the process politically and within the league to make that happen.

“He’s got some work to do, but from what I can see he’s begun that,” the NFL source said. “And now that he’s put it out there, he’ll be more high profile (within in the league). He’s working on it.

“I’ve seen some movement on his part to start to build some support within the league, and with the other owners.”

BUILDING SUPPORT

LOWDOWN: Rams owner Stan Kroenke was nowhere to be found when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell delivered his state of the league address

HOWEVER: An NFL source tells Los Angeles News Group Kroenke is working behind the scenes to build bridges with fellow owners to garner support for a potential move to Los Angeles

WHAT THE LEAGUE THINGS: So far, so good on Rams flirtation with Los Angeles

Vincent Bonsignore is an NFL columnist for the Southern California News Group. Having covered the Los Angeles sports scene for more than two decades, Bonsignore has emerged as one of the leading voices on the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, the NFL and NFL relocation.

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